Thu Jul 24 01:58:09 UTC 2025: **Headline: Rishabh Pant Injured in Fourth Test, Future Participation in Doubt**
**Manchester, England** – Indian batter Rishabh Pant sustained a foot injury on the first day of the fourth Test against England, casting a shadow over his participation in the remainder of the series. Pant was struck on his right foot while attempting a reverse sweep off a delivery from England’s Chris Woakes. He was batting on 37 when the incident occurred.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed Pant was taken for scans following the blow. “Rishabh Pant was hit on his right foot while batting on Day 1 of the Manchester Test. He was taken for scans from the stadium. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress,” the BCCI said in a statement.
While a review showed a faint inside edge saved Pant from an LBW decision, the impact forced him to retire hurt and be taken off the field in a golf cart. This marks the second injury for Pant in this series, after he bruised his finger during the third Test.
Fellow Indian batter Sai Sudharsan acknowledged the potential impact of Pant’s absence, stating, “It will definitely have consequences.” However, he expressed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt, citing the depth of the batting lineup and all-rounders available.
If Pant is unable to keep wickets, Dhruv Jurel could be called upon, although his previous performance as a substitute keeper at Lord’s saw him concede a significant number of byes. In the event Pant is ruled out completely, the team management may consider requesting the services of Ishan Kishan, who recently played county cricket, or even asking KL Rahul to take on the wicket-keeping duties, a role he hasn’t performed recently.
The extent of Pant’s injury and his availability for the rest of the series remain uncertain, with the BCCI medical team closely monitoring his condition.
First Piper 